Authentication device

Abstract

An authentication device consists of a hand-held unit having a receptacle for a smart card and an audio interface for communication with a telephone line. A challenge-and-response authentication procedure is performed between the smart card and a remote service. The device is dedicated solely to said authentication procedure and has no display.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An authentication device comprising a hand-held unit having a receptacle for a smart card and a bidirectional audio interface for communication with a telephone line by respectively sending sound signals to and receiving sound signals from a telephone mouthpiece and earpiece, to permit a challenge-and-response authentication procedure between the smart card and a remote service, the device being dedicated solely to said authentication procedure and having no display. 
     
     
       2. An authentication device according to  claim 1  wherein the device has no keypad. 
     
     
       3. An authentication device according to  claim 1  wherein the audio interface comprises at least one flat audio transducer. 
     
     
       4. An authentication device according to  claim 1 , including at least one indicator light for indicating when the device should be placed adjacent to a telephone earpiece and mouthpiece to allow reception and transmission. 
     
     
       5. A method of authenticating a person's identity over a telephone line, comprising the steps: 
       (a) providing an authentication device comprising a hand-held unit having a receptacle for a smart card and a bidirectional audio interface for communication with a telephone line by respectively sending sound signals to and receiving sound signals from a telephone mouthpiece and earpiece; and  
       (b) performing a challenge-and-response authentication procedure between the smart card and a remote service, the device being dedicated solely to said authentication procedure and having no display.